A major report on the world's threatened wildlife says around 50 species of mammals, birds and amphibians are moving closer to extinction every year.

The study, known as the Red List of Threatened Species, has been published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and released during a biodiversity conference in Japan.

The list provides the most comprehensive evidence yet about the pressure modern humanity is putting on the natural world.

Around 25,000 species have been assessed and one-fifth of them are threatened with extinction.

It shows amphibians are declining at the fastest rate, while birds are doing best.

But for the first time there is evidence that on a global scale, conservation projects are making a discernible difference.

Conservationists say the key is to learn from this and put more money into programs which can return depleted species to their former health.

Dr Simon Stuart from the International Union for Conservation of Nature says a number of species are recovering.

"In Africa, we found that 10 per cent of the near-threatened and threatened species either have stable or increasing populations," he said.

"A great example is the white rhinoceros. So we can show for sure that when we focus conservation efforts and really address the threats and put enough money into it, then you see positive results."

The Federal Government has released a 10-point biodiversity plan to protect Australia's most vulnerable plants and animals, delivering a range of targets for 2015, including adding another 600,000 square kilometres of land and water as conservation zones.

But Alexia Wellbelove from Humane Society International says the targets are not ambitious enough and the Government needs to commit more if the goals are to be achieved.

"Without a significant increase in funding, the strategy won't be able to be achieved with the current lack of funding for biodiversity," she said.

"We really aren't going to get progress made on this issue so what Humane Society International is calling for is significant increase in funds.

"We need specific government officials responsible for delivering this strategy and we look forward to receiving more detail on this."